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Section 25 – Influences

 
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Formed in 1978 by brothers Larry and Vin Cassidy, Section 25 have experienced multiple line-up changes and survived a very lenghty hiatus, yet they remain an influential part of the development in post-punk electronica. One of the acts instrumental in defining the sound of Factory Records, the band featured in the Factory biography 'Shadowplayers' as well as contributing three tracks to the 'Factory Records – Communications 1978-1992' box set. Since the notorious collapse of Factory, the band (following a 2007 reformation) have released through the labels SXXV, Hacienda Records and Factory Benelux.

Today they're giving us the DNA that went into Section 25; a series of influences that goes beyond music and takes in film and literature. It's pretty unusual that we get a band citing influences that stretch from 19th Century opium tracts to warehouse banging Booka Shade techno, but there you go: Section 25 are a pretty unusual band.

Section 25 play the Alfresco Festival, Blackpool on May 24th. More details available over here

LISTEN
Thomas De Quincey - Confessions Of An English Opium-Eater

A salutory tale that still resonates and is relevant to me. – Vinny Cassidy

  • Thomas De Quincey - Confessions Of An English Opium-Eater

    A salutory tale that still resonates and is relevant to me. – Vinny Cassidy

  • Eraserhead (1977) Trailer

    Blew my mind then and still does today. – Vinny Cassidy

  • Iron Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Vida - 1968 (Original Full Version) Cd Sound & 3d Video

    This track at 17:00 minutes long was one of the main reasons I took up drumming. It starts to speak at 6:31, it then builds, it rests at 8:00 minutes and then sublimely takes off again at 13:04. – Vinny Cassidy

  • Hawkwind - Born To Go (1971)

    This show was pre ‘Silver Machine’. I was 13 when I was taken to this psychedelic odyssey by my older brother. It opened up a whole new world for me and showed me that songs could be journeys of discovery not just entertainment. – Vinny Cassidy

  • John Cage (Time And Space) Interview On Silence And Music.

    I really discovered Cage during the depths of MA Art studies, and I took an instant shine to his interviews and the gaps and long pauses he took in between talking. Then I realised that’s what his work is all about. Negative space. It’s incredibly powerful. When my Dad passed away, I found an old John Cage record in his collection and found out (from an old girlfriend) that he was a massive fan…Funny how things turn in circles. – Beth Cassidy

  • Booka Shade: In White Rooms Live At Warehouse Project Manchester

    Booka Shade live set in a tiny club in London, 2008 with my best mate. This turned me on to how dance music can be played, changed, distorted, deconstructed and transformed in a live situation – stunning! They’re still my favourite artists, even with their huge popularity now, I admire their solidarity to each other and their ability to keep pushing boundaries. – Beth Cassidy

  • Just Kids By Patti Smith

    My friend posted me this a couple of years ago, and I loved it so much. I want to post it on to someone else to spread the love of this book. It’s so positive, as an artist, visual, or otherwise, it reaffirms your passions and makes you feel like you’re not the only one slogging away thinking, ‘when’s it gonna happen for me?’. If you haven’t already, read this book, in fact, send me your address, I’ll post it to you! – Beth Cassidy

  • Francis Lai - A Man And A Woman (Instrumental)

    ‘A Man and a Woman’. A brilliant movie that continental cinema always got right. It was awkward and emotional. – Steve Stringer

  • David Bowie - Space Oddity

    My first inklings of existential despair back in 75. A must for all space cadets. – Steve Stringer

  • Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen

    This was Art Rock more than Punk. A daring purchase in 77. A shooting star. – Steve Stringer